Wednesday, July 21 to Monday, July 26, 2021 (Peace Arch RV Park, Surrey, BC)

Wednesday was a beautiful day with highs in the mid 20's C. Steve was out fairly early to wash the c.ar before it got too hot. It goes in for a service tomorrow and he always likes to take our vehicles in clean!

I spent a good part of the day on the laptop  researching...first of all I wanted to get an idea of how much our travel medical insurance will cost. We go through Costco which uses Manulife...we have found it to be the best cost. They have a quote feature where you go fill out the online questionnaire....all I can say at this point is yikes! Much more costly now...I'm sure there are a number of factors involved, but one is definitely because we are 65! 

I also started researching flights from Vancouver to Kona, Hawaii...I couldn't get the booking I wanted on Maui, so decided on the Big Island instead. I hadn't really thought too much about booking airfare yet...May, 2022 is a long way off, but after our happy hour with Tracy and Colin yesterday, they suggested the sooner, the better as prices are expected to really jump.

Other than getting out for a walk and a bike ride around the campground for some exercise, we really didn't do much...pretty boring LOL!

Thursday (July 22) morning Steve joined me for a walk around the campground and then headed off to Midway Mazda for the service appointment for the car.

He was back just after noon, we had lunch and then it was my turn to go out...for a little grocery shopping. When I got back, I walked down to check out the pool...it opened today!

And that was pretty much our day until it was time to go over to Tracy and Colin's site for happy hour. 

We enjoyed a great couple of hours visiting with them! They leave tomorrow morning...but don't have far to go as they live in Coquitlam. It was a nice little camping trip for them. 

We woke to clouds Friday (July 23) morning...the forecast is for mainly sun, so I expect them to burn off quickly. 

This morning we decided to go to Campbell Valley Regional Park for a hike...a spot we found last summer and really enjoyed it. On our way out of the campground, we stopped to say goodbye to Tracy and Colin...looking forward to seeing you again this summer!

We decided to take a different trail than we did last time we were here. It started on the main trail and then we took the Vine Maple trail that went through a very treed area and was much more narrow than the main trail. 

We continued onto the Perimeter trail but it ended up being rather open so at our first opportunity we headed back into the park, taking the Shaggy Mane Trail. It is a trail shared with horses...which was very evident by the amount of horse poop on the trail! After dodging it for quite a long time, we finally came back to the Perimeter trail that finished back at the parking lot. A great hike!

Saturday (July 24) afternoon, Chris, Angela and Isaac came out for a visit...and a swim in the pool!

One of the ladies lounging next to us insisted Steve get into a picture too...

They resurfaced the area around the pool last summer when we were here but due to COVID they couldn't open the pool...

After about an hour and a half at the pool, we went back to our site and enjoyed a wonderful visit...and dinner outside...

Sunday (July 25) and Monday (July 26)....and more beautiful, hot days! We really didn't do much Sunday...except head back to the pool for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Monday I did laundry and Steve puttered around with the car, both of us getting ready for our road trip tomorrow. 

We took the truck out for a run and then parked it back in our site. Steve prefers it there where he can put the wheel covers on and have it handy for anything he needs from it...whereas I prefer to have the car in our site, so much more convenient. Who is going to win? Hmmmm....probably Steve LOL!

So we leave for Alberta tomorrow...our first road trip in the car (other than back and forth to Tunkwa). Steve's Uncle Gord is turning 80 (but going on 60 :) and we want to be there to help him celebrate. Unfortunately, their plans for a big party didn't pan out because they could not find a venue big enough. I guess with COVID restrictions easing, all the places have been booked for weddings, etc! Oh well...we are still going to go and are looking forward to seeing them! Dave and Leslie just happen to live outside of Edmonton...so we're looking forward to seeing them as well!

Stay tuned for our next blog telling you all about our trip!

Tuesday, July 13 to Tuesday, July 20, 2021 (Logan Lake, BC to Peace Arch RV Park, Surrey, BC)

We said goodbye to Chris, Angela and Isaac just before 8:00 Tuesday morning...thank you both so much for all your hospitality over the last 10 days! Looking forward to seeing more of you as we spend the rest of the summer close by!

We actually got away a little earlier than we thought we would. There was a slight smoky haze all the way from Hope...

Very smoky as we get closer to Merritt. Maybe we won't spend a night here after all...

Once in Merritt, we stopped for an early lunch and then went to pick up the truck at the Best Western Hotel. Buster was sitting exactly where we left him and started up no problem...whew! Before leaving, we went inside to thank reception for allowing us to leave the truck in their lot for the last 10 days.

After fuelling up Buster, we continued our trek up to Tunkwa Provincial park...I followed Steve in the car. The first thing we did after arriving at the lake was to park the truck at the boat launch then I drove Steve to the boat. It was a good thing I hung around because he couldn't get the boat off the shore. The lake level has dropped since the last time he used the boat. Even with both of us pushing we couldn't get it back into the water. Steve grabbed an oar and shoveled the mud from behind the stern finally freeing it. Steve motored over to the boat launch and we got to work loading it.

It was a hot and 31C/87.8F afternoon as we finished packing up. Luckily the fridge was still running and all seemed fine with the rig. About 2 1/2 hours later, we pulled out of our long stay site, said goodbye to Tunkwa Provincial Park, and headed to Logan Lake.  We did not take any pictures of a deserted campground. Our throats were extremely dry and irritated from the smoke and Steve even lost some of his voice for the remainder of the day. 

We pulled into the Rec Centre parking lot and parked by the "Shovel" and after leveling, I did a minimal set up inside. Because there are so many fires and smoke throughout the province as well as road closures at times we decided to just head back to the coast and hunker down for the summer. Since we cannot get into Peace Arch RV Park until Thursday, we will stay here for 2 nights. The air here so far is much clearer than Merritt.

Buster doesn’t look so big now…

Friends that had rescued our bikes and turned on our additional propane tank for us after our evacuation, dropped off our bikes. We can't thank you guys enough for all your help!

By the time we were settled, we were hot and tired so walked over to the Pick and Shovel Pub for a cold brew and dinner. We both enjoyed a delicious dinner and a couple of beers. Thoroughly exhausted we didn't stay long.  

Back at the trailer, these fellows came to do a photo-shoot of their car by the "Shovel"...

We woke to a very smoky day Wednesday (July 14)...not exactly what you want to spend a lot of time in, so after doing some chores, we basically spent the day inside reading and doing some odds and ends. Later in the day Chris and Jane stopped by to pick up the stack of firewood we had unloaded from the truck. No way were we leaving a truckload of firewood at the park. Thanks for taking that off our hands guys!

There is a lone doe that calls this area home...not at all afraid of anyone, not even dogs...

The breeze actually cleared a lot of the smoke by mid afternoon, so we sat outside under a tree reading until it was time to get ready to head to Chris and Jane's for dinner...

After we put our chairs away, the doe took over the nice shady spot...

They have a beautiful log home about 25 minutes away near Face Lake...

Neighbours joined us for drinks and dinner. Marla and daughter, Cassandra...chatting with Jane and Steve...

While Ken and Chris are manning the grill...

Nothing going on here Steve...LOL!

They have a nice little pond with a few coy fish...

Our hosts, Chris and Jane...

Marla, Cassandra and Ken...

One final picture of Jane and I at the front of their house just before we left. 

Thanks so much for your hospitality, Chris and Jane! A delicious dinner...and wonderful meeting your neighbours too! We have enjoyed our time with you and although we met some of the Logan Lake ATV Club members, we were so looking forward to meeting more and enjoying more riding in the area. But, alas, it was not meant to be! Darned wildfires! Sure hope you do not get another evacuation order...your home and all the others in the area are in a beautiful community. They were previously evacuated and stayed many days in their trailer where we are currently parked. Since their recent return home they have been very busy running fire hoses and sprinklers throughout their property as well as trimming the many trees 6 feet up from the ground. Good luck and stay safe!

The sky was smoky once again as we drove back to Logan Lake. We've never been able to capture the actual red glow of the sun...

Thursday (July 15) morning, we pulled out of the Rec Centre at about 8:30 and after a quick stop at the sani-dump, we were heading south on highway 97C towards Merritt and eventually the Coquihalla highway as we made our way down to the lower mainland (the Greater Vancouver area). As usual, I was following Steve in the car.

We arrived in Surrey at Peace Arch RV Park just before 1:00. After registering, we continued to our site, D8. We commenced our setup routine...and were happy when we were finally able to sit outside and enjoy the clean air, relaxing with a bevie. I had the inside all done...Steve had most of the outside done but will finish off tomorrow morning. One thing we really noticed was the nearby highway noise...but that is something we'll get used to and it will soon just be "white noise".

We woke up Friday (July 16) morning refreshed...a great sleep and very quiet! After our usual lazy start, we both got to work...chore day today! Steve finished his set up outside while I defrosted and cleaned the refrigerator...hoping that would help it function better. With that done, I got started on the laundry, doing 2 loads...I will do bedding and towels either tomorrow or Sunday.

With our site all set up, Steve took a couple of pictures (we are directly behind the site we stayed in last summer). Buster is parked in the parking lot near the office.

Saturday (July 17) was a much cooler day...with temps around 20C/68F, it was very refreshing! and a nice change but it was also cloudy which seemed so strange.

A few chores to do this morning....Steve emptied and flushed the tanks while I went grocery shopping. No surprise that all the fresh vegetables in the fridge didn't survive the 10 days we were away!

When I got home and had the groceries put away, I put on a batch of yogurt in the Instant Pot and then made some of my favourite grain-free granola. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent either watching TV or sitting outside reading.

We were both awake extra early this morning (Sunday,  July 18)...Steve getting up just before 5:30 to put the coffee on. Seems our usual 6:00ish mornings are getting earlier and earlier! But we were back to clear blue sky and slightly warmer temps...a comfortable 25C/77F.

After breakfast we went for a walk around the campground...it's about 2.4 kms/1.5 miles, not overly long, but enough to get our blood flowing! 

I finished off the laundry and other than that, we read...and Steve watched some of "his programs" on TV while I worked on this blog update.

Monday (July 19) and another beautiful sunny day! After breakfast, we headed off to one of our favourite walks...Crescent Beach. One thing we do enjoy about this area are all of the green space and hiking trails available...sure, we have to drive to them but no biggy since we have the car. So, you are going to get a repeat of a lot of the pictures we took last summer! LOL!

Low tide this morning...

We think they have sailing classes and rentals here...

During the heatwave the water must have been nice and warm when the tide came in...

We walked to the end of the trail then started to head back...

We saw a couple of kids swimming when we got to the end of the pier...

There's some beautiful homes all along the waterfront from old to some still under construction...

A great 3.2km/2 mile walk along the waterfront! Beautiful! On our way home we drove through White Rock...

We didn't do much the rest of the day...I got out for a walk around the campground and Steve read or watched TV. 

Tuesday (July 20) morning we woke to a bit of cloud but it cleared up, for the most part, a little later. Today we are going for another walk...this time Blackie Spit. We parked in the same parking lot as we did yesterday but instead of walking the waterfront, we took to the trails.

This little guy must be very used to people as he wasn't afraid of us... 

An old trestle across the mud flats...

We turned around at the pump house...

Near the end of Blackie Spit...

Time to head back...it's getting hot but at least we have a breeze...

Sailing classes for the kids...

Another great hike...same distance as yesterday! 

We went straight home and after relaxing with a bottle of water, Steve decided to vacuum out the car before the sun came around. Other than that, it was another pretty lazy day. Steve worked on pictures over the last week so that I could get this blog done.

At 2:00, we watched a special news briefing about the BC wildfires...a State of Emergency has been issued as fires continue to burn throughout BC, mainly in the southern half. Apparently a weather system is on it's way bringing wind and dry lightning over the next few days in the interior...not good news! BC currently has 295 active fires and 1,163 fires to date this year.

Just before 5 pm we got a surprise visit from Colin and Tracy. Now retired Tracy is a former co-worker of Steve's that worked at Pacific Controls Ltd head office in Vancouver. They joined us for happy hour but we forgot to get a picture. They are camping here for a few days so we'll get one at the next happy hour :)

Tuesday, July 6 to Monday, July 12, 2021 (Coquitlam, BC)

Tuesday was another warm day...I thought that we'd quickly get the blog done and then be able to go shopping for shoes, but by the time it was done and published, it was going on 3:00. Guess we'll wait until tomorrow!

Chris worked from home today because he had an appointment to take his cat, Dexter, to the vet. Poor kitty has lost a lot of weight and is having trouble holding his food down, so he is getting an ultrasound today. He dropped a not very happy Dexter (he doesn't like car rides) off at  the vet at 10:00 a.m.

Grampa and Isaac had fun building with Duplo....

Italy is playing in the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) Euro20 soccer finals, so Angela (and Isaac) are going to watch the game with her whole family at her parent's place. They left around 11:00...look at this cute little dude all set for the game wearing his jersey...

Chris got the call to pick up Dexter just before 2:00. They had given him something to calm him and the poor guy was having trouble walking in a straight line! Chris is to get the results of the ultrasound tomorrow.

It was a warm evening, so we spent the evening sitting outside on the deck. Isaac playing in his tent...

Wednesday (July 7) was a cloudy day and cooler...a nice change! We headed off just after 9:30...to Coquitlam Centre. It has been a long time since we have been in a mall! But our mission today was to find new walking shoes. We were successful at Sport Chek...the largest Canadian retailer of sporting clothing and sports equipment, with 191 stores throughout Canada as of 2020. They didn't have exactly what we were looking for, but close enough...I got a pair of New Balance runners and Steve, Merrells (he previously had Keens).

After lunch at the food court in the mall, we went to Mundy Park to break in our new footwear. 

Mundy Park at 176 hectares, is the largest park in Coquitlam, British Columbia. The park has many walking trails that pass the park's two lakes - Mundy Lake and Lost Lake. There are also sports fields, a lacrosse box, an outdoor swimming pool, disc golf area, picnic area, and playground.

A great 4.5 km/2.8 mile walk on a lovely trail...

An old gnarly stump... 

A nurse stump...

Back home, we relaxed for the rest of the afternoon until it was time to head over to Angela's parents place for dinner. Chris met us there after work. It was so good seeing Lucy and Luigi after so long! As usual, they treated us like royalty...we ate and drank way too much LOL!

Isaac fed the Coy fish below the waterfall...

Angela, Luigi, Lucy, Isaac, Chris, Steve and me...

Isaac playing in Grampa's hoodie pocket...

Thursday (July 8) was another cloudy, cooler day. Steve and I looked after Isaac while Angela went out to an appointment. She was back shortly after noon, we had lunch and then Steve and I went over to Mundy Park for another walk in this beautiful park. We took a different trail this time, going around Mundy Lake...

And then the Nature Interpretive Trail. Steve inside an old stump...

A nurse log...

Friday (July 9) we were back to sunshine and warmer temps. Just before 11:30 Angela and I left Isaac with Grampa and we headed off for a pedicure appointment, a little shopping...and lunch. We had a great time! I thoroughly enjoyed getting out for some girl time!

When we left Grampa and Isaac were playing with Play Doh....

While we were gone, Angela's dad, Luigi...aka 'Nonno' to Isaac...came over. So Isaac had both grandfathers for a few hours...they picked plums off the tree in the backyard.

Later on, Isaac decided to get his "golf clubs" out and we hit a few balls...

Grampa's turn...

Saturday morning (July 10) both Chris and Angela had appointments to get their eyes checked...they headed off just before 9:30. Grampa and Gramma got to look after Isaac. So much fun playing with him...he's quite a character. Steve decided to introduce him to some of the cartoons that were around years ago...like Yogi Bear and The Racoons.

Chris and Angela got home around 12:30 and Chris grilled hot dogs for lunch...the rest of the afternoon was pretty relaxing, as we just hung out on the patio reading. Steve and I did get out for a bit of a walk up the street and back...not gone long, as it was too hot!

Gramma got a big hug this afternoon! 💗

After dinner, we went back outside and relaxed on the deck...and after Isaac went to bed, Chris lit the propane firepit. A lovely evening outside!

Sunday morning (July 11th) after breakfast, Chris and Angela decided to give Isaac a haircut...something he wasn't particularly fussy about. He wasn't very happy about it but he eventually calmed down and mom was able to finish up (I think a little bribery came into play LOL)...

Just before 10:30, Steve and I headed back over to Mundy Park for a walk...this time we were meeting Steve's cousin (in-law) and a dear friend, Glenna. Even though we spent last summer in the lower mainland (Greater Vancouver area), due to COVID, we didn't get together with family, other than Chris, Angela and Isaac, so it has been a long time since we've seen Glenna. It was a little busy at the park (of course, it's Sunday!) but we still enjoyed a wonderful walk and a great visit with her!

When we got home, Chris, Angela and Isaac had already left. Today is the final game of the Euro20 soccer game...Italy vs England. Angela's family were all gathering at her parents place to watch the game and, of course, route for Italy! And Italy won! Big celebrations!

Steve did some picture editing and I worked on a blog update...other than that, we just chilled all afternoon.

Monday (July 12)...and the start of another warm day. Another 'heat wave' has been forecast over the next week...sheesh!

Steve was outside by 8:30 washing the car before it got too hot out. So I will have a clean car to drive to my hair cut appointment. After my 10:00 hair appointment, I ran a few errands and was back around noon.

After lunch we went to Mundy Park for another hike...it's nice there because on these hot days, most of the trails are in dense forest, so very well shaded.

When we got back from the hike, we received information about the status of Tunkwa due to the wildfire. The fire continues to be out of control and they have been unable to establish a good guard, so the park will remain closed. Because of this uncertainty, we decided it would be best to get our rig and boat out while we could. But where to go? There are so many wildfires (over 300) burning in BC and so much smoke!  After much discussion about our options, I called Peace Arch RV Park in Surrey where we spent last summer (and where we were booked for September 1), just to see if there was any chance of getting in. Well, I think my timing could not have been better...she said a site would be available July 15! Yes!

So tomorrow we will leave here, stop at Merritt to pick the truck up and go to the lake to get our home on wheels!

With those plans made, we enjoyed dinner and our last evening out on the patio. Big hugs for Grampa...

And a selfie...

We've had such a good visit with Chris, Angela and Isaac...and we look forward to seeing them even more now that we will be spending the rest of the summer on the coast.